Before leaving Puq, Joe picked up a vial of [Holy Oil]. As he left the shop, he placed a drop of it under his nose before joining the Hellions. The essence did a decent job of blocking the fetid reek of Naragash, as well as filtering out the worst of Broon’s necromantic rottenness.
Most of the rest of Joe’s team arrived within a minute or two. There was a palpable tension between Lexaroth and Yuk while they waited on one tardy member. Much to Tezeno’s infuriation, Hah’roo strolled into the hall late by almost a quarter of an hour.
Instead of heading for the training yards behind the guildhouse, Myllo marched both parties through town and out the South Gate. He led the group of guilders to a rough rocky pasture abutting a stand of forest not far outside the walls of Fort Coral. Looking around, Joe could tell that this area had seen a few battles already. Deep ruts in the ground indicated where blasts had plowed through the dirt. A few of the trees were broken or scorched.
“Alright, ya all. We are forming a new squad, and Naragash has volunteered to put you guys through the paces. Hellions remember the level disparities. Don’t go easy on em, but don’t go full out yet, either. You six,” he stated, looking at the group with Joe. “Take a minute to work out your strategies, and then we’ll get going.”
The team formed a huddle and partied up.
P
A
R
T
Y
Name
Level
Classes
Health
(Current/Max - %)
Stamina
(Current/Max - %)
Mana
(Current/Max - %)
Hah’roo
24
Ranger / Dancer
457/ 457 - 100%
1879 / 1885 - 99%
978 / 978 - 100%
Tezeno Rhal
19
Sentinel / Justicar
1393/ 1393 - 100%
2969 / 2977 - 99%
778 / 778 - 100%
Kendell Bracey
18
Seeker / Savant
529 / 529 - 100%
1647 / 1651 - 99%
990 / 990 - 100%
Earcellwen Rhuival
16
Ranger / Wildbow
250 / 250 - 100%
981 / 988 - 99%
618 / 618 - 100%
Yuk
??
? / ?
883 / 883 - 100%
1856 / 1872 - 99%
1,266 / 1,266 - 100%
Joe
16
Healer / Fell Bane Druid
1081 / 1081 - 100%
1948 / 1956 - 84%*
5,020 / 5,020 - 85%*
Kenda spoke first. “I think we should try a formation first. I know we don’t have the magics for it, but it's the easiest way to watch each other’s backs.”
Looking around the circle and gaining only nods, she continued. “Tez, you’re the anchor. Yuk, Joe and I will complete the ring covering RC, our artillery. Hah’roo, I’m guessing you’d want to be a mobile striker.”
“That would suit me best, but I can also slot into the line if needed.”
“Great. Joe, focus on support as much as you can. I don’t think they will give you enough time for your [Grit Razor] after the first exchange. Our goal should be to knock out Mortallius first, just as they are going to be coming after Joe. Once one of the healers goes down, the rest of that team is stuck with whatever health they have at that moment.”
“Then, should we shelter Joe with Earcellwen,” the archon asked.
“Joe is surprisingly resilient,” Hah’roo stated breezily. “If it looks like they are hitting him harder than he can maintain, I will take his place.”
“Alright,” Kenda beamed. “Yuk, layer on as many of your [Poison Bites] as fast as you can on all of them.”
“BBBBrrroooon”
“Right, Broon is immune. Everyone else, then. I want Mortalius to have to work to clear them off while we hammer him.” She adjusted her breastplate and gave the team a fierce grin. “I know it's not much of a plan, but this is how we learn what will work best for us. You guys ready?!” she exclaimed, sticking her hand out into the middle of the circle.
The rest of the group clasped the offered digit and shouted affirmations in a very sports-like manner before moving into position. Joe moved to RC’s back. Tezeno was in front, with Kenda on the right and Yuk on the left. Hah’roo stood off to the side.
This closely gathered, it was not surprising when Broon took the opportunity to drop an area effect spell on them. The gaunt, gray man pointed at the sky, and a black vortex appeared overhead, unleashing a deluge of oily, oozing rain.
Tezeno raised his hand overhead and spoke “[Aegis of Order],” which made Joe feel better about his habit of also calling out his spells. The black rain hit a dome over the group and was shunted aside.
“No ready, set go?” Kenda shouted.
“Consider it a gesture of respect, my dear,” crooned the necromancer with a wicked smirk. “As are these,” the death-mage added.
He swooped a hand upward, and the sound of cracking and clattering emerged from the soil around them. It sounded like something was about to burst out of the ground under their feet, but the sentinel just shook his head. Boney hands popped out of the dirt outside the arcane shield. The risen skeletons clawed at the barrier, unable to penetrate it.
“It’s a sphere, Broon,” the archon chided. “Why would I make something as flawed as a dome when a globe is far more perfect?”
The languid revenant threw the sentinel an exaggerated golf clap as the rest of the Hellions unloaded their attacks. Flaming axes, sizzling arrows, arcane bolts, and a swarm of glowing ravens descended on the five guilders. Meanwhile, outside the barricade, Hah’roo and Naragash closed for battle.
Joe managed to catch sight of the two through the buffeting black wings and magical splashes. If Naragash was holding back, Joe could not imagine facing her at full force. Her enormous bone axe shattered boulders. Only the wind-dancer's inhuman grace and incomprehensible fighting style allowed Hah'roo to withstand the ice cambion and keep the Hellion's focus. Joe doubted the five of them would fare well if the half-fiend was also hammering on Tezeno’s shield.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
In retaliation, Joe’s team fired through the barrier as the sphere did not restrict Tezeno’s party members. Joe launched a [Grit Razor] by reaching past Tez. Unfortunately, Broon dispelled it. Mortallius was hit by an axe, an arrow, and a blot of biting bugs.
Tezeno whispered, “Shield down in five seconds. Shift left.” The globe was cracking in several places. Even though the Hellions had spread out, the archon had determined the best direction to gain them some cover if they kept moving to a nearby pile of boulders.
When the shell shattered, they were already moving. Reven was closest to their destination. As Joe looked at his team, he was filled with the feeling of wild anticipation that accompanied his [Sense Weakness] skill. Unfortunately, he was sensing it in his teammates, not the flaming axeman.
You have resisted being Fixated by Reven’s [Burning Fury].
The following party members have been afflicted by the condition: Kendell Bracey, Earcellwen Rhuival, and Yuk.
“Oh no.” Joe did not know what ‘Fixated’ did, but it surely could not be good. With his improved [Eyes of the Healer], he could see the affliction as a crown of ethereal flames burning above their heads.
Before he could [Purge] the condition from anyone, an arrow slammed into his chest with so much force it hurled him twenty feet away from his group.
Graymuck’s [Cannon Shot] has injured you. You have lost 16% of your health, and you have gained the Winded condition.
Joe tried to take a breath, but he only managed a gasping wheeze. He had to use [Purge] on himself, which allowed Reven’s enchantment to do its damage. The mostly enthralled group split up.
RC focused on Broon, slipping into the terrain and launching volleys of arrows at the necromancer.
Yuk vanished, but a moment later, Reven began dancing and clawing at himself. Joe could see stacks of poison conditions amassing on the ignan.
Tezeno stayed focused on their primary target, Mortallius.
Regrettably, this meant that the underdogs were spreading their attacks across the varsity team. Concentrating on one enemy at a time would have been a much better tactic. This was, of course, why Reven used his [Burning Fury] skill.
Kendell had rushed Lexaroth, much to the warlock’s chagrin. Like Joe, the dark-haired caster must have a combat teleport ability. He used it to keep blinking away from his attacker each time she got close. Unfortunately for the new Hellion, the trainer could hurl her hatchets quite a long distance.
Unless something changed with that pairing, Joe didn’t think Lex would last long.
That is until Graymuck spoke a command that summoned his companion. A mottled, shaggy monstrosity, almost as large as Finn, appeared beside the trollkin.
Zaebos: Beast (Hyena): Bonded Companion 21
“Go get ‘er.” the fearsome hunter growled to the seven-foot-tall brutish beast.
Zeabos giggled loudly as it charged Kenda. The animal cleverly arced its dash to come up behind the obsessed axewoman. She would not see the doom bearing down on her until the monster had her in its jaws.
“NO!” Joe shouted, throwing a spell at the ferocious predator. As soon as the spell was away, he activated his new shield bracelet and the werewolf hide.
You have afflicted Zaebos with the Numb condition
Your skill [Deaden Flesh] has increased to rank 18
The hyena’s front legs folded as Joe nailed the beast in the chest with his spell. Kendell managed to sidestep the tumbling mass of legs and fur. Lex was not so lucky. The two went down in a heap. The lovely guilder saluted Joe before jumping over the downed brute to continue her hunt for the warlock.
For the second time, before he could Purge the [Burning Fury] from her, Graymuck hammered him with an arrow. Joe had his shield up, which blocked the damage and afflictions, but the force still knocked him off his feet, overpowering his [Steadfast] skill.
Joe peeked around his furry shield and saw the troll drawing another arrow. Before the archer could knock it and fire, Joe hit him with the same spell as he had his beast.
You have afflicted Graymuck with the Numb condition
The hunter dropped his bow in the dirt with a comical expression as his arm turned gray in Joe’s woundsight.
“Yeh sneaky git,” the gangly archer grumbled. “Too bad fer you. That gives me two fer one.”
The trollkin barked a spellword, causing a green glow to wash through his deadened limb, pushing away the gray. At the same time, an identical emerald bloom scrubbed the numbness from Zaebos. The duo must have a shared spell ability, similar to Joe’s [Synergistic] trait.
“Lexy boy. Don’t die,” the hunter shouted. “Z! Mutilate!”
The beast did not need a verbal assignment. It rose and locked its eyes on Joe, growling fiercely.
“Aw crap,” Joe moaned. He flared [Steadfast], guessing Gray would try to knock him down, leaving him vulnerable to the hyena’s mauling. He guessed right. The arrow smashed into the hide-cover buckler, but for once, Joe stayed on his feet.
Your skill [Steadfast] has increased to rank 24
A second later, the brutal jaws of the beast closed over his right forearm. Joe could hear his bones creaking. He wished he had spread the sleeve to both arms. His own major physical resistance prevented his arm from shattering outright, but it would not hold those jaws open for long.
Instinct took over for Joe.
“BAD DOG! LET GO!” he shouted, with [Pack Master] raging behind his words.
Your skill [Pack Master] has increased to rank 9
The hyena recoiled as if it had been slapped. Its eyes opened wide enough to almost appear cartoonish.
“Wha?!” growled the trollish voice behind them. “How ….”
Joe decided to double down while he had a brief respite. Activating his [Band of Beguilement], he added another layer of domination to the brute.
“Hey Zaebos. Your master wants to rough-house. Go get him!”
Joe knew he had to overcome the bond between Graymuck and the companion, so he purposely suggested an action the hyena would not oppose. The creature's attitude flipped immediately from wariness to excitement. Yipping and wiggling, the beast oriented on Graymuck before romping off after its master at full speed.
The trollkin eyed the freight train of furry exuberance and groaned, “Aw crap. You asshole.”
The hunter nimbly tumbled away from the charging behemoth. Unfortunately for him, his companion was well acquainted with his maneuvers. The mighty jaws clamped down on the gangly archer’s quiver, lifting the troll high off the ground. As the beast shook his master like a ragdoll, all Joe could hear was a cacophony of threats and swears.
“... Dead … oh, so … dead … assssssshoooole … when I get … I’m gonna … ”
The beguilement had landed solidly, but Joe knew Graymuck would likely be able to clear it in a minute. He had to act fast. He wiped away the fixations from his teammates first and then poured healing into Yuk. The bug boy was not doing well against the fire-wreathed warrior.
“Switch,” the newly-unfixated Kenda shouted. She flashed a hand sign to RC, who, in one smooth motion, retargeted her shot from the necromancer to punch a hole in the warlock. The trainer charged Reven while Yuk swarmed to join Tezeno on the cleric.
“Guess that leaves us,” Joe announced to Broon. He bound toward the revenant, pushing [Hunter’s Pursuit] and [Morphic Form]. As he got close, he dual cast a [Heart Fire] on either side of the death mage. Joe was not sure if Broon was truly undead, but from the way his aura looked, it was a pretty damn good guess.
“Ghack! Oh, those are dreadful," the gray man hissed as black energy began to wreath his hand. "You really don’t think I plan to fight you amidst them, do you?”
The man’s shadow slid across the ground, extending far beyond the range of the [Heart Fires]. Joe guessed that Broon intended to swipe that horrid-looking touch spell onto him and then ride his shadow out of the light. Luckily, the spell Joe intended to use next had a range slightly longer than Touch. Joe focused on the ebon-shrouded digit. Just before the vile spell connected with his flesh, Joe fired off [Dispel Rot].
Broon’s skin cracked and fizzled, causing the dark mage to screech. The necromancer recoiled, howling, as he cradled his sizzling hand.
“Oh no!” Joe gasped, horrified he had just done the dead man grievous harm, far beyond what was allowed in a training session.
A furious roar blasted across the battlefield, bearing an overwhelming aura of intimidation. Joe turned to see an enraged Naragash leaving Hah’roo, who was encased in a jagged prison of ice. The cambion was bearing down on Joe at a terrifying pace. She cold-cocked Tezeno as she passed him, stunning the sentinel. Her halo of arctic cold forced Yuk to withdraw as well.
Joe threw up his hands in the face of his oncoming doom. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’ll fix it. I’ll fix it,” he yammered.
If the demonic warrior heard him, she gave no sign. Her axe rose into the air.
Before it descended, a thin form stepped between them.
“Now. Now. Nara. No butchering the novices. Everyone makes a gaffe now and then,” Broon purred in a still strained voice. “I’m sure this young restorer has a trick that will fix this right up. Why don’t we leave him in one piece? Alright?”
The livid warrior, towering over the pair, halted her murderous advance. Literally growling, the half-fiend turned away and marched back to Myllo.
“Oh my god. You just saved my life,” Joe uttered.
“It may have just been a bit of dismemberment, but essentially, yes. Yes, I did. So what can you do to fix this?” the man stated. He rotated just in front of Joe, ending virtually nose-to-nose with him.
“Um.” His nearly colorless, dull eyes gave Joe the creeps. “Want to try my healing?”
“We could, but I have a better idea.” Broon leaned his head so he was an inch from Joe’s neck. The undead inhaled deeply. “Would you mind if I take a draught?”
“Are you going to bite me?” Joe bleated, leaning away.
“Don’t be gauche,” the sinister man teased. “Just a touch will do.”
Another dark aura radiated from the maimed hand. Broon held it, hovering over Joe’s shoulder, waiting for consent, which he received with a somewhat reluctant nod.
You have permitted Broon’s [Vampiric Siphon]. You have lost 20% of your health.
The chalky flesh reformed across the withered digit. Looking with his woundsight, Joe could not see much difference in the murky aura, but at least the necromancer's pained expression fell away.
“Oh my. You are just brimming with vitality. Much more satisfying than our taciturn cleric.”
Broon settled the hand entirely on Joe’s shoulder, gently steering him toward where the teams were gathering around Myllo.
“Now we get to hear how badly we cocked up. I will say your handling of Muck was brilliant. Replaying the troll’s dismay in my head will warm my cold heart for weeks to come.”
Even his laugh was ominous sounding. Shivers tickled down Joe’s spine as the chortling corpse guided him to where the guilders were gathering.
----------------------------------------
Three hours and a dozen skirmishes later, Myllo finally set them free. The Hellions still outclassed the new squad in every encounter, but bit by bit, the novices were learning how to coordinate their specific skills. The group's linchpin was Joe’s ability to keep them healthy and condition-free. Their best performances were where Joe stayed safely at Tezeno’s side, inside the archon’s safeguarding auras. As long as Joe could keep healing, scrubbing afflictions, and casting his own debuffs, the new team was able to pose some challenge to the restrained veterans.
The six of them made their way to a tavern, surprisingly suggested by Yuk. It was a pleasant little basement saloon. The barkeep greeted the ragamuffin by name and supplied the weary group with an excellent variety of well-chilled beers, as well as wines for Earcellwen.
They talked, planned, though it was mostly Kendell planning, and drank into the evening. Joe was surprised that Yuk drank at all, and it became clear he was not designed to keep pace with Tezeno. Joe surreptitiously kept purging the intoxication away from the sentient swarm.
As the night progressed, they played various card games, mostly losing to Hah’roo. While they were looking forward to the quest ahead, one fact became abundantly clear.
Their new team needed a good name.